Sources tell Soccer By Ives that the New York Red Bulls included 2007 Rookie of the Year runner-up Dane Richards in a proposed trade for Chicago Fire defender Wilman Conde, a move that the Fire subsequently turned down. The package included Richards, a first round draft pick, cash and either Jeff Parke or Carlos Mendes for the experienced Colombian defender. The move for Conde came just four days after the player went public with his desire to be reunited with former coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

However, the inclusion of Richards in the proposed deal comes as a surprise, says blogger Ives Galarcep, especially after Red Bulls officials spent so much of the season saying that Richards, Juan Pablo Angel and Jozy Altidore would be going nowhere. The speedy Richards would be a dangerous right midfielder anywhere, but Chicago, it seems, plans to hold onto Conde. If the Fire won't accept Richards in trade, then it looks unlikely that Conde will be reunited with his former coach.